Chocolate Hot Cross Buns filled with Orange Mint Pastry Cream.

chocolate chips

🥗Healthier: dark chocolate

💰Cheaper: chocolate chunks

Dark chocolate has less sugar and can be healthier, while chocolate chunks are often less expensive.

butter

🥗Healthier: coconut oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Coconut oil is a healthier fat alternative, while margarine is often cheaper.

milk

🥗Healthier: almond milk

💰Cheaper: water

Almond milk is lower in calories, while water can be used for a lighter version.

sugar

🥗Healthier: honey

💰Cheaper: brown sugar

Honey is a natural sweetener, while brown sugar is often less expensive.

Start by creaming 1 cup of butter and 1 cup of sugar together until the butter changes to a lighter color.

Add eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully combined before adding the next.

In a separate bowl, measure out 4 cups of all-purpose flour, 4 tablespoons of cornstarch, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 20 grams (4 teaspoons) of yeast, and mix them together.

Add 6 tablespoons of cocoa bowl mixture to the butter and sugar mixture.

Incorporate 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder and spices like nutmeg and tonka bean into the dry ingredients.

Combine the wet and dry ingredients, mixing by hand or with a KitchenAid using a dough hook attachment.

Knead the dough until it forms a ball; it should not require extensive kneading like bread dough.

Prepare the filling by heating full cream milk with mint leaves and zesting the tangelo into the milk.

Separate 2 egg yolks and 1 whole egg, adding 1/4 cup of sugar to the eggs and another 1/4 cup of sugar to the milk.

Add 1/4 cup of cornstarch to the eggs and mix well.

Temper the egg mixture by gradually adding hot milk to it, stirring continuously to avoid scrambling the eggs.

Return the mixture to the pot and cook until it thickens and bubbles, stirring constantly.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens